The
Vineyards: Hillside Estate
Petroni Vineyards Rosso Di Sonoma is a blend of Sangiovese Grosso, Cabernet
Sauvignon, and Syrah grapes grown on our estate located above the Valley of
the Moon with northwest and southwest exposures. From 13 blocks of vines
planted on various slopes, aspects and elevations, primary blends are made
from each site with the resultant wines culled into our reserve and Rosso
lots. We organically farm and thin all blocks an average of three times
during the growing season, allowing us to maximize the quality of fruit
which ultimately finds its way into the Rosso Di Sonoma.
Vintage: 2006
2006 was an excellent vintage, characterized by a cool winter, a warm summer
and a pro-longed Indian summer. With rain holding off until well into
harvest, we got the needed heat for fruit maturity, making for an ideal
harvest that yielded excellent flavors and color. The fruit was picked
throughout early September into champagne lugs and delivered to the
de-stemmer by hand.
In the Cellar: New techniques
Destemmed to four ton closed fermenters, the berries were cold soaked for
five days (with pumpovers) and allowed to warm on their own until the onset
of a native fermentation. Maceration period lasted six weeks and included
the near completion of a native malolactic fermentation. The wine gets its
silky mouth-feel from an elevage lasting 20 months in new and used French
oak barrels. To achieve a brilliant appearance, the Rosso was fined with egg
whites and cold stabilized prior to bottling.
The Wine: Silky
The wine’s appearance is brilliant and ruby red. The first impression in the
bouquet is of sweet tobacco and a slight earthiness, later growing into more
perfumed aromas of black cherry and cinnamon. The attack on the palate is
smooth, warm, caressing, presenting mineral and stone fruit flavors from
start to finish. It is a very accessible wine at this early stage of its
development and incredibly food friendly.
2006 Rosso di Sonoma
Variety: Sangiovese 80%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%, Syrah 5%
Appellation: Sonoma Valley Estate Grown
Harvest: October 2006
Production: 1,600 Cases
